Expert: David Silver - 6/15/2006

Question
Hello,

I have a No. 1 AUTOGRAPHIC KODAK JR (1921) and its state is very good and I'd like to use it. They say it uses Autographic Film No. A-120 but I think I cannot find it nowadays. So I was wondering whether is some type of "modern" film (or, at least, more modern than the original one) which is suitable to use in that camera.
If you could provide me any information, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks a lot for your time, A. Rosso

Answer
Hello Anthony,

Your camera has a feature unique to Kodaks from the period 1914 to 1930+.  It is the autographic feature, and it allowed the photographer to scribe information right on the edge of the film exposures through the door on the back of the camera.  To do this, however, you also needed their special autographic film.  For a No. 1 size autographic camera, you needed #A-120 film.  Unfortunately, autographic film was discontinued nearly 70 years ago...BUT the camera can still be used today.  The autographic film was just standard sizes of regular roll film with a different sort of paper backing that served the scribing function.  Replace that special paper backing with the regular backing they still use today on roll film and you have, well, regular roll film!  Instead of #A-120, go to a full service photography supply store and ask for #120.  Buy some black and white (I wouldn't trust those old lenses with color film), shoot a roll, and return it to the same store for processing.  The most common black and white #120 roll film most of those stores carry these days is Kodak T-Max, and that's pretty darn good stuff.  The only thing I want to warn you about is that autographic door on the back of the camera.  NEVER open that little door once the camera is loaded with film!  It is not light tight, and with modern film enough light will leak in there to fog the images!  Otherwise go have fun!  Let me know how you do...

Best wishes,

David Silver